Process and apparatus for welding metal sheets



Oct. 28, 1924. r Y 1,513,472

H vyHoMEs v PROCESS .AND APPARATUS FOR WELDING METAL SHEETS Filed Sept.l, 1923 Lffl/l HAEEY wnoMEs, oE oHaTTANooGA, TENNEssEE, AssIGNoE TovTENNESSEE EUENr- PATENT: oFF-1cE p V.

ESSEE.

PEooEss AND APPARATUS" EoE WELDING METAL sisrnErs.v

Application medsepte'm'per 1,- 192s.. semaine. massav Td all wkomzt mayconcern:

v citizen of the United States, residing at Chattanooga, in the countyof Hamilton and 5 State of Tennessee, have invented certain new anduseful Improvements lin Processes and Apparatus for Welding lMetalSheets; and I hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, andexact description thereof,l

` reference bein hadl to the accompanying drawings, whic form part ofthis specification. l

This invention is a novel process and apparatus for use in Oxy-acetylenewelding of metals and its principal object is to preventv or materiallylessen the diffusion of heat through or into the body of the metalsheets during the welding process.

The invention has particular reference to the welding of metal sheets,such for example as are used in the manufacture of so-called seamless`hollow bodies or linings for refrigerators. Such bodies or linings areusually made of metal .sheets welded together at the joints, and -agreat deal of trouble has. been experienced in the manufacture. of suchbodies by warping during the enameling or finishing processes, thewarping being chiefly due to unequal altera- `tions in the physicalstructure of the metal sheets caused by the large and unequal diffusionof heat over and throlhmore or less 'of the body of the metal eet duringthe welding rocess. This dilf 3 noticeable a ter welding by the alteredexl Ul .ternal appearance of the metal sheets,

clearly showing how the heat'has affected the physical structure of themetal extending from the welding steam over'more or less of the entirearea of thesheet.

have `provided a novel means4 and method whereby this undesirablediEusion 'of the heat through the body of the metal sheets duringwelding is prevented', or .re-

45. duced to such a small extent that the vphysical structure ofthe'sheets is not injuriously affected, andthe objectionable warping of'the bodies during the subsequent finishing` or enameling treatments ispractically overcome, resulting in greater economy in the qmanufacture'of hollow sheet metal bodies, such as refrigerator linings.

I. will explain the invention with referencev to the' accompanyingdrawings which illustrate ion is quite one `practicable eiriribodimentthe same; and will summarize in the claims the essentials of theinvention, the novel process and apparatus, novel features ofconstruction, and'- combinations of parts, for all of which protectionis desired.. 1

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective View of an appa'-l ratus 'for use in carryingout the process,l showing' a hollow sheet metal refrigerator liningybody in' position for welding one of the joints thereof.

Fig. 2 is an end elevation of Fig. 1, partly broken. j 1

Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail section on the line 3-3 Fig. 2. 1

, Fig. 4 is a top-plan view of one of the.

, slotted jet directing heat absorbing members.

together, and a slotted '-jet directing vheat absorbing member 3 adaptedto be clamped thereof, to .enableothers to adopt and use Be it knownthat I, HARRY WHoMEs, a-

above the plates which are to be unlted with the slot 3 thereofadjacentand over the abutting edges ofthe plates preparatory to weldingsame. Preferably, a second heat absorbing member2 is placed on the framebeneath the-- metal plates, at vthe abutting edges of the same or on theline where the plates are to be welded together.

In the construction shown the supporting frame comprises uprights 1,preferably angle irons, united vat their tops by ahorizontally disposedI-beam 1,and united at their bottoms by an an le iron tie 1", securelybolted thereto. T e uprights 1. may be securely anchored in orsupportedon .the flooring or `base 1x so as tov support the apparatus rmlythereon. Uprights 1 'are also preferably securely held in upri htposition by any suitable means such as y metal braces 1t attached totheu rights land anchored in or attached to t e adjacent/wall VW of thebuilding. The particular'manner or means by which the uprights 1 arefixedly securedin upright position is not an essential feature of theinvention.

To theuprights 1 at points below the 'i beam l are attached forwardlyprojecting arms 1 upon which arms 9is supported a beam 1d, preferably anI-beam, which is disposed parallel with, but below beamfla.

Transversely mounted upon the beam l" are adjustable bars 1, preferably.small I-bars.-

.practically held by their own gravita]- @3 remata weight in anyposition to which they may be adjusted, the greater weight of theforward portions of the bars le projecting in front of beam Ild tendingto cause them to tilt on the bars 1d while the upper rear ends of thebars 1e engaging the under side of the beam la prevent their forwardends from dropping below a horizontal position. Bars 1 may be readilymanually adjusted by the workman raising their outer endsl so as toslightly lower their inner ends clearing same of beam l, and the workmancan then slide the bars 1e lengthwise of the beam ld to any desiredposition.

rfhe hollow bodies B, or metal plates which are to be welded, aresupported upon the projecting outer ends of bars 1e as shown in Fig. l,and is preferably formed of metal plates butt-welded together at theirmeeting edges.

j ln the example shown the weld which is to be formed is at the junctionof the endsof plate b and plate b2, the upper end of plate b2 being bentover into the plane of the plate b the meeting edges of plate b', b2abutting closely together as shown at in Figs. 3 and 4f.

The heat absorbing member 2 is preferably an approximately rectangulariron casting, and is. placed under the meeting edges m of the plates andinterposed between the plates and the supporting bar l?, and member 2 ispreferably provided with longitudinal V- Qshaped grooves 2, in its topand bottom mem# ber 2 being so adjusted on the bars 1 that one of thegrooves 2a thereof will coincide with or extend beneath the abuttingedges :1; of the plates which are to be'welded.

Above the-abutting edges of the plates 71, b2 is placed a 'etvdirecting; heat absorbing member 3 prefere. ly made of cast iron, whichmember 3 has an elongated slot or opening 3a in its bottom of slightlygreater. width than the slight space between the abutting edges of theplates. 'llhis member 3 is adapted to be placed over .said plates b", b2with the slot 3B thereof extending lengthwise of and directly above theabutting edges a: of

the plates. lln the example, both the abutting edges and the slot 3 areshown as being straight, but obviously if the butt-weld is to be curvedor of any irregular shape, the slot 3a in the heat absorbing member 3should also kbe made 'curved orY irregular to correspond in shape withthe weld to be made.

.Preferably member 3 is so formed that its upper face is concaved andits inner sides inclined inwardly and downwardly towards the slot 3, asshown in Fig. 3. Thus the member 3 increases in thickness -away from theslot 3a. rlhe inclined inner surfaces of member 3 tend toldirect the jetor ame from the burner headv 'll toward the 'slot 3a and confine itseffects to the metal exposed through the slot 3a at the abutting jointas between the plates b and b2 as shown in Fig. 3,

rfhe appa: atusis further provided with an angle bar lg which ispreferably likewise anchored to the Hoor .0r base lx parallel with andin front of the angle bar 1b; and bar 1g is preferably provided with aseries of perforations lf in its upper legany one of which perforationsmay be detachably engaged by a pin l attached to the lowez end of a barl, the upper end of which bar l is attached to clamp bracket l1'carrying the usual clamping screw 1. rl`he bar l can thus be readilyadjusted into position longtiudinall Y so that the clamping screw 1k canengage tie upper face of the member 3, and cause the latter to bindorclamp the plates b, b2 in proper weld- L ing position on the member 2,and at the same time clamp the member 2 securely upon the bar l", asshown in Fig. 3, with slot 3a, groove 2, and the-meeting edges :v of theplates in vertical alignment.

lf desired detachable hand'c'lamps 1m of the ordinary type ma' be usedto further clamp the castings an plates to the bars 1 so that the platesb and b2 will be held with their edges abuting and clamped between thejet directing heat absorbing member 3, and the heat absorbing ember 2.

When the mem ers are thus clamped in welding position the ends of theplates are heated by means lof a suitable dame, preferably anOxy-acetylene flame directed by a head 'll" through the slot 3a inmember 3 and i against the abutting edges ae of the plates b and b2.

When the welding fiame is thus directed against the abutting edges w ofthe plates, theV edges thereof are rapidly heated and welded together bydirect contact with the flame, while at the same time any surplusk isscarcely any lateral diffusion of heat through the area of theplates ascompared with the diffusion of heat which takes place during the usualprocess of weldin g and the undesirable changes in the physica structureof the plates are thus prevented.

v"lihe differences in diusion of heat between a welded joint made by myabove procllO and 3, .and a weldedjoint produced by the 'l identicalflame in the identlcal plates under the ordinary welding processes wheresuch members 2 and 3 are not used, is very marked.

since in the latter processes (where such V zontal beam connectingthe'uprights, a secmembers 2 and 3 are not used) the plates plainly showthat there has been a dii'usion of heat from the weld through a greatpart lof sch lates, whereas'in `my process thereu is scarcey.anynoticeable diffusion of heat from the joint. As a consequencearticles such as hollow refrigerator linings made by my processandapparatus are vnot liable to warp during lthe subs uent finishing or`enameling treatments; an thus greater economyresults since there isless loss due to warping of the plates, and less time is req uired toperform the actual welding opera- VWhat I claimmisi 1. In a sheetwelding apparatus, a horir zontal beam connecting the uprights, a second beam mounted on said arms below and slightly in front of theirst`beam .and parallel therewith adjustable bars mounted upon the.second beam and projecting beyond the same to support the sheets to bewelded said bars'having their rear ends engaged under the' irst beam, aslotted heat. absorbing member, and means for clamping the heatabsorbing member and sheets upon the bars, withthe slot-in said memberdisf v posed above the abutting edges of the sheets,

the welding dame being directed through said slot.

2. In" a sheet welding apparatus, a horizontal beam connecting theuprights, a second beam mounted-on said arms below and slightly inAfront of the first beam and par-'- allel therewith, and adjustable barsmounted vupon the second beam and projecting bel' yond the same tosupport the'sheets to be welded, said'bars havlng their rear endsengaged under the first beam, a slotted heat absorbing member, a basemember having a series :of perforations, and a work clamp carryin barfor clamping the heatabsorbing Aso" mem er and sheets Aupon the barswith the slot in sa-id heat absorbing member disposed above the abuttingedges of the sheets, said work clamp bar having a pin for engagement"with the perfor-'ations 1n said base member.`

3. In a sheet welding apparatus, a horizontal beam connectingthe-uprights, a second beam mounted on said arms below and slightly infront ofthe first beam and parallel therewith, and .adjustable barsmounted upon the second beam and projecting beyond the same tosupportthesheets to.be welded, said bars havmg their rear ends engaged underthe first beam, and a work clamp carrying bar adjustably connected Awith the base, and a heat absorbing member 'adapted to be mounted on thesheets to be welded adjacent the abuttin edge-s thereof, I'

said memberhaving aslot a ong the line of the weld, the welding flamebeinga plied through the said slot to theabutting e ges of the sheets.

4. In a vsheet welding apparatuaa horil ond beam mountedon said armsbelow and slightly in front of the first beam and parallel therewith,and adjustable bars vmounted upon the second beam and projecting be-jyond the same to support the sheets to be I Welded, said bars havingtheirrear ends engaged under the first beam, and a work clamp carryingbar adjustably,4 connected with the base, and'a heat absorbing memberadapted to be mounted'on the sheets to be welded adjacent the abuttingedges thereof,.

arms attached to the uprights below 'the 95 first beam, .a second beammounted on said arms slightly below and parallel with the heat ingmember adaptedl to be mounted sev first beam, and adjustable barsmounted upon the ,second beam and projecting be-` yond 4the vsame tosupport the sheets to bev welded', said bars havin their rear endsengaged under the first eam, and a work clamp carrying barlongitudinallyadjustably connected with jthe base, and a vheatabsorbingmember adapted to be mounted on the sheetsto be welded adjacent theabutting edges thereof, said member havin a slot along the 4line of thevweld, the welding lamebeing ap lied through the the abuttingl edges ofthe sheets.

6. In a sheet welding apparatus, a base, uprights, a'beam connecting'the uprights,

' arms attachedV to the uprights below the first beam, asecond beammounted fon said arms slightly .below and parallel with the first.

beam, and adjustable bars mounted upon the -second beam and projectingbeyond the same to support the sheets to be' welded, said bars saidvslot to having their. rear ends engaged under the first beam, and awork clamp carrying bar longitudinally adjustably `connected with 'i thebase, a heat absorbing member ada ted to be mounted on the sheets to bewe ded adjacent the abutting edges thereof, 'said member havin weld, thewe din a vslot along the line of the flame being'. applied through thesaid s ot to the abutting edges 1 25 ofthe sheets, and a secondheatvabsorbmg member adapted to be mounted on the bars under the sheetsadjacent the abutting edges thereof and opposite the rStheat. absorbingmember'.

. and projecting beyond the same, and having their rearends engagedunder the rst beam; adjustable means'for clamping the sheets to beWelded on said bar, and a heat absorbing member adapted to be mountedupon the sheets to be Welded, and having a slot along the line of theWeld, the Welding dame being applied through the said slot to theabutting edgesof the sheets. y

8. lApparatus for the purpose specified, comprising a base; uprights; abeam mounted on the uprights; a second beam mounted on the uprightsbelow and parallel with the first beam and in advance thereof',adjustable bars mounted upon the second beam and projecting beyond thesame, and having their rear ends engaged under the irst beam means forclamping the sheets to be welded on said bars, and a heat absorbingmember adapted to be mounted upon the sheets to be Welded, and havin aslot along the line of the Weld, the Welding dame being applied throughthe said slot to the abutting edges of the sheets7 anda second heatabsorbing member` adaqutedv to be mounted on the bars adjacent theabutting edges of the sheets and opposite the irst heat absorbingmember.

lin testimony that ll claim the foregoing as my own, ll ax my signature.

HARRY VJHMES.

